They often try to not drink at all during the week, and allow for moderate drinking Friday through Sunday,” Dr Lee said. If you start to experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. When you use alcohol regularly and heavily for a prolonged period, your brain becomes more hyperactive to offset the suppressing effects of alcohol. When you stop drinking, the suppressing effects of alcohol are suddenly gone; however, the hyperactivity remains until your brain can readjust. Behavioral treatment encompasses therapy to change the behaviors that led to or contributed to excessive drinking. Two of the most well-known options are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational enhancement therapy (MET).
Can You Stay in Rehab Longer Than Your Program? Exploring Options in an Addiction Recovery Program
My name is Ashlyn Jacob and I’m a licensed master’s social worker. I have experience working in psychiatric hospitals, inpatient, outpatient, detox, and partial hospitalization programs providing clinical social work services. My approach to therapy is grounded in compassion, empathy, and a deep understanding of the unique experiences and perspectives of each of my clients . I utilize a person-centered approach to my clients to help empower change within themselves. The best way to safely quit drinking is by following the advice of a doctor or treatment center.
Which Method Is Right for You?
Tapering off may seem appealing to some, but understanding the pros and cons is vital before deciding how to proceed. Here at Aftermath Addiction Treatment Center, we’re proud that recovering individuals created our facility. We help people recover by providing empathy, love, understanding, compassion, direction, guidance, and treatment, in addition to using clinical and medical approaches and techniques. A person’s https://www.inkl.com/news/sober-house-rules-a-comprehensive-overview risk of developing alcoholism comes from a complex blend of genetic, psychological, social, and environmental factors.
- Quitting an addiction isn’t just a physical challenge—it’s also a mental one.
- It is only advisable to direct taper if the preferred drink is beer with a low alcohol percentage.
- Because of the risk of a lower success rate and prolonged alcohol exposure, most healthcare professionals will recommend a professional detox over tapering.
- If you’re struggling to stick to a taper or do not trust yourself to moderate your alcohol use, having strict supervision and support can help you meet your recovery goals.
- WKS is a condition that mirrors the symptoms of dementia, directly caused by alcohol abuse.
Benefits of Weaning off Alcohol
Deirdre has extensive experience in mental health and treating substance use disorder related issues. In addition, Deirdre has experience in caring for young adults, women’s health issues and adolescents with HIV/AIDS. She served as a Wellness coordinator at Search for Change, Inc and currently serves as an Independent Practice Coach from 2011 to present. As the Family Nurse Practitioner, Deirdre performs history and physical exams, and works with clients to diagnose and treat dual diagnosis clients. Her experience in behavioral health training, program development, and organizational leadership lead her to pursue a certification as a Project Management Professional in 2018. The average time of an addiction recovery program can range from 30 to 90 days.
Heavy drinking can lead to a reduction in the sensitivity of your brain to the amount of GABA produced. If you abruptly stop consuming alcohol, your brain may not have enough sensitivity to GABA, which can result in hyper-excitability and withdrawal symptoms. When you quit alcohol cold turkey, you quit drinking completely and suddenly. Tapering off alcohol helps some people start their recovery journeys. It can also be a good idea for people who don’t want to, or can’t, attend any type of full detoxification program.
Saved Costs and Time
I then pursued my Masters in Clinical Social Work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Social Work. While pursuing my masters, I also received my BCAT certification which allows me to work with clients with Autism. I have experience working with all age groups and backgrounds and have worked in hospitals, inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs providing clinical social work services. If the alcoholism in question is mild, going cold turkey during a home detox may work and remain safe. However, for severe alcoholism, it is much safer to seek medical help and taper off rather than quitting cold turkey. With tapering, you start slowly to minimize the chances of severe withdrawal and relapse, avoiding the shock quitting cold turkey can cause.
It will take time and effort to grow these newfound friendships—but it will be worth it. Surrounding yourself with other people who are sober will dramatically improve your chances of staying away from alcohol. A therapist can help you understand your triggers and develop healthy coping skills for dealing with them. Soon, they will become second nature and your triggers will not have as much of an effect on you.
With kindling, the brain becomes increasingly sensitized to stopping alcohol. In turn, you can suffer from increasingly severe withdrawal symptoms every time you try to stop drinking. Tapering alcohol is beneficial because you can avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
- With her passion and drive to bring success to our residential program, Erin is excited for the opportunity to lead our team in Buckeystown as the Program Director.
- If you or someone you know is quitting alcohol and experiences seizures, DTs, hallucinations, or other major effects, seek immediate medical attention or call 911 for help.
- Outside of work, he finds solace in outdoor activities like hiking and woodworking.
- People who want to reduce their alcohol consumption often do not realize how much of their social and daily routines alcohol has become.
- Remember, seeking professional help is crucial when quitting alcohol, especially if you have a history of alcohol dependence or withdrawal symptoms.
How to Taper Off Alcohol Safely
Although they can be hard to get from the NHS, a private doctor from a specialist clinic may be able to help you. If you are not experiencing withdrawal symptoms or severe cravings when you stop drinking, then a program of self-care and support groups may be all you need. This option is better than tapering because it can lead you back to temptation.
During medical detox, medical professionals obverse the side effects of withdrawal and can help provide the support and guidance you need to continue your recovery process. They can also ensure you receive fluids to manage dehydration and provide balanced meals to minimize withdrawal effects. If you only drink two to three drinks per week, you can easily quit cold turkey without experiencing major withdrawal symptoms. However, tapering off may be the way to go if you drink heavily or have more than six drinks per week. The safest way to stop drinking alcohol if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms or alcohol cravings is a medical detox.
Judy is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Maryland, and a National Certified Counselor. She earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling from Johns Hopkins University with an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland. She has served in both clinical and leadership positions in a number of roles, in inpatient and outpatient settings, as a Primary Therapist and Clinical Supervisor. Vanessa is certified in addictions counseling by Maryland’s Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, with credentials as a clinical supervisor. She comes to The Freedom Center with over 14 years of direct experience in residential and outpatient treatment between the private and federal sectors. Over the past several months, Erin has worked with our team to create a strong clinical program for our residential location in Buckeystown.
